Humour at NOUN convocation

For the three hours that the convocation lasted, the audience had something to laugh, whistle, cheer, clap, and wave about, most of which were caused by the National Open University (NOUN) Vice Chancellor, Prof Vincent Tenebe.

It was the third convocation of NOUN, held at the Main Exhibition Hall 1 and 2, National Theatre, Iganmu where 4, 308 students from the Schools of Arts and Social Sciences, Education, Law, Management Sciences, and Science and Technology graduated last Saturday.

The VC had been called to deliver his speech, but while urging the government to give opportunities to NOUN graduates, he told a story that left the audience reeling with laughter.

He said a graduate found himself in the United Kingdom (UK), where he saw a placement for a job interview in an organisation that sells bibles. The organisation needed eloquent speakers to help market their products.

The young man went to the organisation, stammered while telling them that he was there for the interview.

The VC said that the interviewers said: “’No this man cannot work here,’ but the chairman of the interview panel, who is just like our Nigerian Universities Commission (NUC) Executive Secretary, Prof Julius Okojie, who has given NOUN a chance, told them to give the young man a chance.

“All those who were present for the interview spoke eloquently, just like the Joint Special Representative African Union-United Nations Mission in Dafur (UNAMID), Prof Ibrahim Gambari (NOUN convocation lecturer), except the NOUN graduate.”

“They were all given 50 copies of the bible each to sell but the NOUN graduate came back after 10 minutes with all books sold while others were still outside, preaching to convince people to buy.”

He said surprised, they gave him another 50 copies and again he came back with the money.

“He sold 250 copies of the books within one hour while others had not sold any. So, Okojie told someone to follow him and see if he hid the books somewhere and presented them with his own cash.

“The person that followed him found out that he would walk up to someone that is in a hurry and say, ‘would you pay for the copy of a bible or should I read it to you?’ as he stammers, and the person would say, ‘please just give me a copy’ and pay the $10.

“The person went back to report that the young man had prospects. He was not just given the job; but was made head of the sales department.”

Almost immediately the audience recovered from the amusement, the VC announced that the university had added two new centres to the institution – one for members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), and the other for the Nigeria Police – which made everyone resume the laughter, referring to the study centre for NURTW as school for agberos (touts).

He called on the Federal Government to support the university by allowing its products to participate in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme.

“The present practice of issuing letters of exemption to our graduands, even though appreciated, is not good enough. The National Open University of Nigeria is a full-fledged federal university, offering degree programmes as approved and accredited by the NUC, just like all other universities in Nigeria. It is therefore fair justice to allow all young Nigerians of NYSC specified age to participate in the scheme, while those above 30 years old should be given exemption letters as it is practised for all graduates from other universities in Nigeria and abroad,” he said.

Tenebe said among the graduands were the university’s first sets of Law and Mass Communication students. He added that the institution recently established the School of Agricultural Science and School of Health Sciences.

The VC also sought improved funding from the government as well as help for infrastructural development in the various study centres to ensure conducive learning environment for students.

Three Nigerians, Prof Grace Alele Williams, Alhaji Muhammed Ali Kwara, and the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar were conferred with honorary degrees. However, the IG’’s award was deferred until next year because he is still in service.

Mrs Williams, a former Vice Chancellor, University of Benin (UNIBEN), thanked Nigerians for recognising that the young are doing good things and not forgetting the old. She was excited to see many young people and as well as older women graduating.

The Minister of Education, Chief Nyesom Wike said if everyone in Nigeria is educated, the fight against corruption will be easier.

“Open and Distance Learning is a veritable tool to achieve this. We believe that with this, we can strive to be like other countries,” he said.